Revision Rhinoplasty in New Orleans, LA

New Orleans cosmetic surgeons, Dr. Kamran Khoobehi and associates, help patients overcome the disappointment and dissatisfaction that sometimes occurs with rhinoplasty surgery. While most individuals who have rhinoplasty are happy with their results, not all surgical outcomes are positive. Our New Orleans team welcomes patients from other practices who desire to have a secondary rhinoplasty procedure. Revision rhinoplasty may include corrections that are minor, such as making slight adjustments or reshaping the nasal bone. However, some patients may need severe reconstruction if a significant amount of cartilage and bone were lost during the original surgery. Our group has the experience and expertise to not only correct the problem, but create a beautiful, natural looking nose.

When the initial rhinoplasty results in unsightly features, it can be difficult for the plastic surgeon to revise the initial surgery. Open rhinoplasty is the ideal technique because it allows the doctor access to the nose’s supporting framework, and corrects the internal structure of the nose as originally intended. It may involve re-cutting and reattaching the cartilage or bone. It may even need skin, tissue or fat grafting to make sure the aesthetic intent is achieved. The peeled skin will be draped back, and a nose splint or packets may be provided to aid with healing.

Similarly, secondary rhinoplasty may be necessary to adjust minor issues from the initial surgery. It may be a case of slight unevenness or misshapen contours. In these cases, the first surgeon is often the one who will perform the touch up as the procedure is less complex and typically involves minor techniques, such as slight shaving of the bone, augmentation or reduction for volume issues. The results from minor revision rhinoplasty are mostly satisfying.

Depending on the condition, revision rhinoplasty may be performed with either a local anesthesia (for smaller areas) or general anesthesia (for major alterations). It is often an outpatient procedure. Just as the initial surgery, there will be bruising and swelling around the face. It is normal to feel anxious about the results of a revision surgery after the results of the original surgery. But if the surgeon is reputable and has many years of experience with rhinoplasty, the results are usually better and more natural looking.

Depending on the correction being made, a surgery can cost as low as $9,000, or can go on to cost more than $20,000 for the most complex deformity reconstruction. The high-end fees may include costs that come with cartilage or bone grafting and other supplementary procedures such as augmentation or reduction. The lower-end fees are normally only touch up procedures to correct minor aesthetic issues. 

Revision procedures can be really complex since there is always the possibility of a worse outcome. It is extremely important to find a revision specialist who has years of experience with this particular treatment. It is critical for the surgeon to understand what went wrong with the initial surgery to be able to shape it into the intended surgical plan. This involves manipulating the internal structures of the nose and resetting the wrongly placed elements.

In cases when there is loss of cartilage or bone, it will be harvested from other parts of the body – the ribs for example. The grafted bone or cartilage will make up for the reconstruction of the internal framework of the nose. However, this is only likely in severe botched cases, which accounts for a small rate of rhinoplasty procedures.

Revision rhinoplasty is a common occurrence when it comes to cosmetic surgeries; especially minor touch-up procedures, which account for an average of 10% of all rhinoplasty cases. It is normal for some patients to find themselves wanting touch-up rhinoplasty in order to make necessary tweaks that can produce even greater results. Major revisions are less common because they are often a result of choosing an inexperienced plastic surgeon.